Chewy Coconut Cherry Bars

Indulge in the irresistible combination of tropical sweetness and tart tang with these Chewy Coconut Cherry Bars! Featuring a buttery, crumbly crust topped with layers of sweetened shredded coconut, plump dried cherries, and a luscious drizzle of creamy condensed milk, these dessert bars strike the perfect balance of chewy and crunchy textures. This easy-to-make recipe comes together in just 45 minutes, making it ideal for everything from holiday cookie platters to casual afternoon snacks. With their vibrant flavors and rich, golden layers, these bars are sure to become a crowd-pleasing favorite. Perfectly portable and simple to store, they’re a must-try for fans of coconut desserts and cherry treats alike!

Nutriscore Rating: 36/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 0.75 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 0.75 cup dried cherries
• 0.5 can (about 7 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides for easy lifting.

Step 2

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth.

Step 3

Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix until a soft, crumbly dough forms.

Step 4

Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create the crust layer.

Step 5

In a separate bowl, toss the shredded coconut and dried cherries together until evenly combined.

Step 6

Spread the coconut and cherry mixture evenly over the crust layer.

Step 7

Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the coconut and cherry mixture, ensuring it covers the surface evenly.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.

Step 9

Remove the baking dish from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Step 10

Once cooled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment overhang and cut them into 12 squares or 16 smaller bars.

Step 11

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(707.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2817.4

Total Fat 130.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 87.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 292.1mg	0%
Sodium 1146.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 398.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.1g	0%
Total Sugars 264.2g
Protein 27.4g	0%

Vitamin D 7.9IU	0%
Calcium 378.8mg	0%
Iron 8.4mg	0%
Potassium 751.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.7%

Protein: 3.8%

Carbs: 55.4%